LOHC Purification via Silicate Filtration for Hydrogen Yield

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing LOHC technology faces challenges in producing pure hydrogen due to the presence of impurities like oxygenated derivatives, which contaminate the hydrogen and accumulate in the LOHC fluid during hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles, affecting yield and quality.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the use of filtering agents such as silicates and zeolites to purify the LOHC liquid before hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles, significantly reducing oxygenated organic impurities and improving the quality of the fluid for repeated use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If LOHC fluid is used in hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles, then hydrogen can be stored and transported, but impurities accumulate in the LOHC fluid reducing quality and yield

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen production yieldVSAvoidhydrogen purity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by filtering the LOHC fluid before each hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycle to remove impurities in advance. This prevents impurity accumulation that would otherwise contaminate the hydrogen product and reduce reaction yield, thereby maintaining both high hydrogen purity and productivity throughout multiple cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a filtering system as an intermediary between the LOHC fluid and the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation process. This intermediary component removes oxygenated derivatives and other impurities from the LOHC fluid, preventing them from contaminating the hydrogen product while allowing the main hydrogen storage function to continue efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles are repeated, then hydrogen storage capacity is maintained, but impurity accumulation reduces process performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of cyclesVSAvoidprocess performance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing continuous or periodic filtration of the LOHC fluid throughout multiple hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles. This maintains consistent process performance and reliability by preventing impurity accumulation, allowing the system to operate at optimal efficiency throughout its intended lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies discarding and recovering by removing (discarding) impurities from the LOHC fluid through filtration while recovering and reusing the purified LOHC fluid for subsequent cycles. This maintains process reliability and performance stability over extended operational periods without requiring replacement of the LOHC fluid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Manufacturing precision

If impurities are removed from LOHC fluid, then hydrogen purity improves, but additional processing steps increase complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen purityVSAvoidpurification process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous filtering materials to remove impurities from the LOHC fluid. These porous materials provide high surface area and efficient impurity capture in a compact form, achieving high hydrogen purity without requiring complex multi-stage purification systems, thereby minimizing additional device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses relatively simple, cost-effective filtering materials that can be periodically replaced or regenerated. This approach achieves high hydrogen purity through straightforward filtration rather than complex continuous purification systems, reducing overall process complexity while maintaining effective impurity removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach results in the production of hydrogen with reduced impurities, enhancing purity, yield, and extending the number of hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles while minimizing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

A process involving the use of filtering agents such as silicates and zeolites to purify the LOHC liquid before hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles, significantly reducing oxygenated organic impurities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20230174374A1Process for improving the quality of hydrogen-bearing organic liquids
Publication Date: 2023.06.08 EASTMAN CHEMICAL HTF GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for producing hydrogen from a liquid capable of being used in at least one hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycle, said process comprising at least one step wherein said liquid is brought into contact with a filtering agent. The invention also relates to the use of a filtering agent for the purification of a liquid capable of being used in at least one hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycle, in a hydrogen production process.